octane rating.

first off i know there r a couple dead threads about this. i didn't want to revive them and people start bitching, so i'll just start a new one and mention it for all the newbies since 03 that might not have dun research in this forum to find it.

anyway. simply put, put in wut u'r owner's manual tells u. most N/A cars, and especially hondas, use 87.
if u don't have the owner's manual (me), or don't know (not me); then put in the lowest octane rating at the pump. if u get pinging/knocking, step up to the next rating. if u still get pining/knocking, step up again. if u still have knocking, then check u'r freakin timing already!!!

this is for non-internally modified, N/A cars. if u have bumped up the compression, basicly the same method applies only starting a little higher. however, if u bumped the compression or added forced induction or NOS, u should already know this.

basicly if u actaully research octane ratings and octane numbers, u will find out wut they mean, and y this is. i'm not going to do all u'r work for u. u can type in octane rating in the search bar for example. if sumone else wants to post the technical info in this thread, feel free. otherwise it won't be, unless i get enough people asking me to. i tried to help out sum people over at hondaswap.com, but everyone there refused to believe me even though i posted the proof and links. screw 'em. this forum's better anyway.

edit: added "...or added forced induction or NOS..."

dont higher octane gas give u more power?

dont higher octane gas give u more power?

NO! higher octane gas is for cars with more power/compression....The higher the rating the harder it is to ignite....For example....if u have lets say an ls in your car you run 87/89....if you then turbo it you have to run 93/94 so that u dont detonate because the fuel is harder to ignite.

What about the engines from japan that are used to higher octane because of the higher octane pump gas in japan? Would you still want to use 87octane on a jdm engine tha had a minumum of like 95 octane before it was imported?

What about the engines from japan that are used to higher octane because of the higher octane pump gas in japan? Would you still want to use 87octane on a jdm engine tha had a minumum of like 95 octane before it was imported?

Just do want the first person said, engines don't get used to anything. Modern engines constantly adjust themselves to the current conditions. GL

dont higher octane gas give u more power?
yeah 90+ octane is 20+hp

yeah 90+ octane is 20+hp
:grinno: nice

well i'm glad to see i'm not the only one that knows this here in this forum. thank u, and hopefully we will enlighten sum people to the B.S. that sum other people preach (no one in particular)

i preach that low octane is SATAN! lol jk :)

would it be better to put higher octane in a lower octane car? I did this once because when we had hurricanes, everyone went to get gas, and jus as i got there they ran out of regular and mid grade, so we got premium for the price of regular yeahhh sexah :) I got more miles to the gallon with the higher octane.

the only reason higher octane is "better" for a particular car, is because it actually NEEDS the higher octane. it won't hurt a car to put in higher octane, but if it isn't needed then it's just wasting u'r $$$. unless u luck out and get higher for the same price as lower. ^^^

i preach that low octane is SATAN! lol jk :)

would it be better to put higher octane in a lower octane car? I did this once because when we had hurricanes, everyone went to get gas, and jus as i got there they ran out of regular and mid grade, so we got premium for the price of regular yeahhh sexah :) I got more miles to the gallon with the higher octane.

I put 93 octane in my D16A6 all the time. I never fill up though nor do I commute with my car anymore. Plus, I live at about 1,000+/- ft. above sea level (the altitude varies dramatically here in western SC). No internal engine mods besides slightly more aggressive cam... my car runs pretty good with the mods I do have...

i use 96 - 97 octane :) dont have a problem at all and i love it

Octane is a measurement of resistance to detonation.

Unless you have high compression, its completley unnessicary.

I wouldn't be wasting my money if I didn't have to. I use it in my B16 but only because it has high compression. I like being able to use 87 in my Mazda. Buying more expensive gas than you need is dumb if you ask me.

If I remember correctly, the dohc zc called for like 93 octane or something. I run 89 in it cuz im a cheap ass, but it never knocks or detonates. But like the others have said, its true, the only reason you might need higher octane fuel is if you have hight compression or some sort of forced induction to prevent detonation.

If I remember correctly, the dohc zc called for like 93 octane or something. I run 89 in it cuz im a cheap ass, but it never knocks or detonates. But like the others have said, its true, the only reason you might need higher octane fuel is if you have hight compression or some sort of forced induction to prevent detonation.


really? i tried 89 octane and it ran like a bag of ass, tossed 94 in and ran like a champ

might be elevation level maybe

yeah... it definitely has to do with compression. Doesn't the ZC have higher compression? When I had high comp. pistons I always ran good stuff cuz I tried 89 once and it ran like crap! I hated that feeling so I always use higher octane gas...